Dates Scheduled in Other Countries

Biography

The ultimate start to any weekend – Get your festival on with live music and horse racing for just €15!

Leopardstown Racecourse invites you to experience ‘the essential festival’ with eight summer evenings of festival fun, great food and thrilling racing followed by some of the best live Irish and international music you will see this festival season.

Leopardstown Racecourse’s great selection of bars and restaurants offers some wonderful locations to mingle and soak up the vibes, during what will definitely be one of the highlights of the summer social calendar and a very unique event.

The RaglansThursday 12th June2014 is set to be a huge year for Dublin /Wicklow four-piece Raglans. They release not one but two singles in Ireland on 21st February; both of which are taken from their forthcoming self-titled debut album. The album will be released in Ireland and the UK in March followed by a headline UK and Irish tour. The singles have created a buzz in the UK, with Raglans receiving plays from Dermot O' Leary on BBC Radio 2 who called 'Digging Holes' a “great tune”. Since forming in 2010, the band have undergone a huge rise in popularity which has taken them from gig-opening favourite in Dublin to garnering widespread recognition across the UK, supporting international acts such as The Courteeners and Haim.“They're the sort of songs we want people to play at parties, around the campfires, festivals; the lot.” - Stephen (lead singer)

HeathersThursday 19th JuneInternational breakout sensation and twin sisters Ellie and Louise Macnamara, also known as Heathers, are set for a big year in 2014 with their second album Kingdom. The first single “Forget Me Knots” is already becoming a firm favourite on US radio. Both the single and album have already received critical acclaim, and appearances on major TV shows to millions of people have led to the track’s continuing radio popularity, both on commercial radio and also as a dance/club hit, thanks to a fantastic remix by the in-demand Animal Trainer production team. In Ireland, Kingdom was nominated for the prestigious Choice Music Prize in 2013. Their popularity has continued to rise after two summer tours and support from heavyweights such as legendary DJ and producer David Guetta. The Heathers are an international hit with tours ranging from home in Ireland, to the U.S.A, Canada and as far flung as Malaysia.

Ham SandwhichThursday 3rd JulyShaking off the dreaded ‘quirky’ tag Ham Sandwich are a band that has grown and developed into one that is not only more confident in their collective abilities but also in who they are and what they do. On a quest to be different yet distinctive the band has released their new single Illuminate, which is as light as a feather, and they continue to showcase songs from their second album White Fox; which was featured in Tony Clayton-Lea’s book, 101 Irish Records You Must Hear Before You Die. Constantly forging individuality with a commercial framework the band has a strong work ethic and disciplined sensibilities. On stage you will see self-confident, assured and a wonderfully humorous band that has supported the likes of Slane Castle, Mumford & Sons, as well as being invited to perform at the President of Ireland’s garden party.

The StunningThursday 17th JulyThe Stunning could easily be described as one of the most successful Irish bands ever. Their debut album ‘Paradise In The Picturehouse’ spent five weeks at number one and became one of the most-loved Irish albums of all time. The follow up ‘Once Around The World’ also hit the No. 1 spot, and the band went on to sell over 100,000 albums in Ireland alone. “Brewing Up A Storm” has become an anthem of sorts and is to be heard everywhere from football stadiums to clubs around the country where it is still a guaranteed floor-filler.

Their songs have been featured in movies and numerous compilation albums of the best of Irish rock. They toured the US and the UK with the likes of Bob Dylan and the B52’s. During their time, the band scooped every music prize and award going. In 2012 they celebrated their 25th anniversary with a number of sold-out gigs around Ireland.

Sharon ShannonThursday 24th JulySharon Shannon has made the accordion cool. A musical Icon for over 20 years she has brought traditional Irish music to the world, as well as fearlessly exploring, and blending it with country, French-Canadian reggae, hip-hop, dance and classical. Her songs have reached global audiences with The Galway Girl featuring in the movie PS I Love You. She has collaborated, toured and recorded with Bono and Adam from U2, Steve Earl, Jackson Browne, Nigel Kennedy, Willie Nelson, John Prine, and Christy Moore. Her Big band shows have included guests such as Shane McGowen, Imelda May, Mundy, Damien Dempsy, and Jack L, playing at Festivals worldwide for the past few years including Glastonbury, Cambridge, Sydney Festival, Electric Picnic, and Lorient. She continues to perform live with her big band and four piece, and has given performances for US Presidents Obama and Clinton, as well as Irish Presidents Robinson, McAleese, and Higgins.

Johnny MarrThursday 7th AugustOne of the most celebrated guitarists in the history of modern music Johnny Marr is a multi-award winning artist who has worked with everyone of note. Best known for his work alongside Morrissey in The Smiths, Marr has also worked with a diverse array of other bands including The Pretenders, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse, and The Cribs, as well as guesting on recordings by Kirsty McColl, Billy Bragg, The Pet Shop Boys, John Frusciante, Talking Heads, and Beck. Marr’s influence has continued to be recognised, having earned Q’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Mojo’s Classic Songwriter Award, and the Inspiration Award at the Ivor Novellos. Recent years have seen him diversify his work into other musical areas; even contributing to Hans Zimmer’s Oscar nominated score for the movie Inception. If the past tells us anything, it’s that Marr’s future projects will be worthy of the world’s attention.

The CharlatansThursday 14th AugustFor more than two decades now, The Charlatans have been an inspirational Force in British rock. They first broke through to the immortal strains of ‘The Only One I Know’ - -if not so as new generation of young bands and fans today hail them as lifelong heroes. Rooted in the Midlands and North West of England, the band have always exuded positive energy, whether in the first mania of their success in the early ‘90s, or while suffering their many tribulations midway through that decade, or in their sophisticated, ever-questing vitality today. They have, along the way, made so much beautiful, brilliant music – countless classic singles, bursting with melody and class; and an enviable catalogue of albums, each restlessly different from the last, none anything short of compelling, uplifting, or totally rockin’. Unlike all but a very select few bands of their vintage, Charlatans albums are urgent, and full of life.